How did that happen?

Sitting in the Departure Lounge at Edinburgh Airport in the very early morning – reading a file of turgid correspondence – the kind of stuff one can only read while semi-comatose in the early dawn. Walked towards the plane holding correspondence in plastic folder with open side downwards. Entire contents fall to ground and disappear down the wafer-thin slot between the plane and the walkway.

I could see them twenty feet down on the concrete. I said to the Flight Attendant, ‘Any chance … perhaps … without causing major security alert and closing entire airport’ ‘Of course,’ she said. Summoned First Officer who went and picked them up. His thoughts are not recorded. Thank-you to BMI Baby.